Ojos de Brujo
Originally more of a collective than a band, the Barcelona-based fusion group came together in the mid-90s, when guitarist Ramon Giménez began playing with like-minded experimental musicians based along La Rambla, like singer Marina ‘La Canillas’ Abad and percussionist Xavi Turull, trying to find out what kind of sound they could create.
Mixing dub, hip hop, and flamenco allows Ojos de Brujo a wide range of expression. By blending flamenco and rumba, and mixing hip hop, dub and modern-sounding drum licks and bass lines the group makes forward-looking music with a social conscience.
The band sold over 100,000 copies of their self-produced Barí album, and has received several awards, including BBC Radio 3 World Music Award for Europe. They have made show-stopping appearances where ever they perform including WOMAD, Later with Jools and a spectacularly energetic show at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall back in 2007.
"Onstage, Ojos de Brujo played as if musical energy could drive a revolution...Political fervour fills their lyrics, which praise Latin American revolutionaries like Bolivar and Zapata". New York Times